# XXXI explained — Robbery Under Arms

> Chapter companion for Robbery Under Arms by Rolf Boldrewood.

## What happens

Jim and his wife settle into their cottage in Specimen Gully as life on the Turon goldfields continues with its daily dramas. Dick reflects on the immense wealth being dug up, the mixed character of the miners, and the growing lawlessness. He receives a letter from Gracey Storefield via Aileen, renewing his resolve to go straight. He and Arizona Bill frequent the Prospectors' Arms, where Kate Mullockson becomes increasingly confiding and manipulative after learning of their plan to leave for Melbourne. Dick and Jim spot Warrigal and Moran observing the gold escort, suspecting they are planning a robbery.

## Themes in this chapter

### Class and Social Mobility

Dick reflects on the mix of honest miners and criminal scum on the goldfields, and his own desire to escape his past and start anew with Gracey.

### Love and Sacrifice

Dick's vow to go straight for Gracey's love, and Jim's devotion to Jeanie, contrast with Kate's manipulative affection.

### Crime and Punishment

The presence of Warrigal and Moran at the escort start foreshadows a planned robbery, while Dick worries about being dragged into trouble by the lawless element.

## Character check-ins

### Jim Marston

Living happily with Jeanie in Specimen Gully, working steadily and avoiding town except with his wife.

### Dick Marston

Narrator; working double tides, receiving letters from Gracey, and spending evenings at the Prospectors' Arms with Arizona Bill.

### Kate Mullockson

Landlady of the Prospectors' Arms; becomes confiding and manipulative after learning of Dick's plan to leave for Melbourne.

### Arizona Bill

Dick's companion at the Prospectors' Arms; warns Dick about Kate's intentions.

### Warrigal

Seen with Moran at the gold escort start, observing the security arrangements with suspicious intent.

### Dan Moran

Seen with Warrigal at the escort start, likely planning a robbery.

## Key lines

> We had all got our eyes fixed on it, Lord knows, and were working double tides, doing our very best to make up a pile worth while leaving the country with.

Everyone was focused on saving enough money to leave Australia, working extra hard to accumulate a worthwhile fortune.

_Dick describes the shared goal of the Marston brothers to escape their criminal past._

> Some people gets punished in this world for the sins other people commit.

Innocent people often suffer because of the wrongdoings of others.

_Dick reflects on his mother's hard life, attributing it to the sins of others._

> When I read this I felt a different man. I stood up and took an oath⁠—solemn, mind you, and I intended to keep it⁠—that if I got clear away I’d pay her for her love and true heart with my life, what was left of it, and I’d never do another crooked thing as long as I lived.

Upon reading Gracey's letter, Dick resolved to reform completely and dedicate his remaining life to her if he escaped his current troubles.

_Dick's vow to go straight is motivated by Gracey's love._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters/xxxi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/robbery_under_arms_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/robbery_under_arms_se/chapters